SHRINE OF THE BLACK MADONNA
National Office: 700 Seward ~ Detroit, Michigan 48202
50th Anniversary of the Unveiling of the Black Madonna Mural
Friday, April 28, 2017 – Sunday, April 30, 2017
Date
Individual Name
Company Name
Company Address
City, State ZIP
Dear [Individual Name]:
On March 26, 1967, something epic and profound happened on the corner of Linwood and Hogarth in Detroit, Michigan. That morning, Reverend Albert B. Cleage, Jr. unveiled an eighteen foot chancel mural of The Black Madonna and Child, painted by Detroit artist Glanton Dowdell. This mural became Detroit’s first representation of the Black Madonna and Child.
For people living throughout the African Diaspora, that singular event significantly changed the way we viewed ourselves, our place in history, and our sense of racial pride and consciousness. It also caused many theologians to seriously explore the significance of this visually stunning mural, and to reconsider the history, theology, and interpretation of Christianity and its origins, an exploration that is still at work today.
The importance of race and religion cannot be overstated---Reverend Cleage’s books, The Black Messiah and Black Christian Nationalism: New Directions for the Black Church, are a seminal part of the Smithsonian’s Museum of African-American History and Culture; the Black Madonna and Child remain an important aspect of theological training throughout the world.
This year, we celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the unveiling of The Black Madonna and Child, and invite you to be part of the historic celebration taking place April 28-30, 2017 in Detroit, Michigan. Please join us in celebrating this historic event by supporting our programs and activities. Enclosed is a form detailing sponsorship opportunities.
A member of the planning committee will contact you in the coming days to discuss our sponsorship levels in more detail. It is my hope that your company will choose a sponsorship level among those offered. Please make your tax deductible contribution payment to The Shrine of the Black Madonna. Thank you in advance for your support.
Appreciatively,
Bishop Demosthene Nelson Rev. Sharion Brown
Bishop Demosthene Nelson Rev. Sharion Brown
(Jaramogi Menelik Kimathi) Chairperson, 50th Anniversary
Holy Patriarch and Presiding Bishop Planning Committee
Shrine of the Black Madonna PAOCC
Email: For more information: theyearofrestoration.org 313.212.2424